Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-10-29
PUBLIC EVILS.
AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION OF
THE SUBJECT.
Defects in "Our Political and
Social Institutions"

An article in the current North American
Reriew is attracting considerable attention,
both because of the nature of the subject
and the position and fame of the writer
James Gibbons, the new American Cardi-
nal, discusses some defects of "our politi-
cal and social institutions in an interest
ing and suggestive manner. In his opin-
ion, the dangers that threaten civilization
in this country may be chiefly traced to
the family. "The root of the Common
wealth is in the homes of the people. The
social and civil life of a nation springs
from the domestic life of mankind" Among
the evils which threaten the nation the
Cardinal enumerates Mormonism and di-
vorce, an imperfect system of education,
the Dissertation OF the Christian Sabbath, a
fraudulent ballot and an administration of
Justice pernicious in its dilatory character.
The objections set forth to Mormonism
are those with which the publicis already
familiar, and need not be dwelt upon here.
The writer's characterization of the most
of the causes upon which divorces are
granted as "preteXts" is appropriate. In
all there are in this country TWENTY-FIVE.
or more grounds on which the marriage tie
is served by law, and in Illinois and Maine
the matter Of granting 4 divorce lies at the
discretion of the Judge. These facts only
help recall public attention to the supreme
importance of establishing uniform di-
vorce laws, based upon Unsuitable princi-
piles throughout the United States.
Cardinal Gibbons enters an emphatic
plea in behalf of adding the religious ele-
ment to the popular system of education
In this he, of course, presents the views of
his church on the subject, which believes
that secular and religious training should
be combined in the same function. 1t is
scarcely necessary to say this is not the
prevailing opinion in this country. Aver
age public sentiment recognizes the impor-
lance of educating the individual reiigi-
ously, but experience has shown that, with
the multiplicity of beliefs and sects. it is
better to leave the matter of religious
training to the family and the church. An
impartial study of American institutions
will convince any one that America has
not suffered from this arrangement.
Every word which the writer uses in be-
half of the strict observance of the Sabbath
deserves careful consideration. Apart from
religious reasons, one day in seven should
be regarded rs a day of cessation from sec
ular pursuits. The world can accomplish
more in period in which only six DAYS of
every seven are devoted to work than it
could by having no respite from employ
ment. Civilization makes far more rapid
strides because of the influences springine.
from the institution of the Sabbath. Toll
IS necessary, but unremittent it degrades
the man and proves curse. Interspersed
with regular periods of rest all evil effects
from such a source are prevented. This is
TO look at the subject in its lower and sec
uiar aspects alone. Savagery has no Sab
bath; indeed it could not be what it is with
that institution as one of the elevating in
fluences to lift it above itself.
Cardinal Gibbons does not touch upon
this side Of the topic, though by doing so he
would greatly strengthen his argument in
behalf Of the Sabbath. 1t Is not every
Christian ordinance or practice that can in
contestibly call to its support so much sec
ular consideration. Cardinal Gibbons
sounds this warning: GA close observer
cannot fail to note the dangerous inroads
which have been made on the Lords Dav
within the last quarter of a century in our
| own country and if these invasions are
| not checked in time the religious quiet
now happily reigning in Baltimore and
other well-ordered cities will be changed
into 4 day of noise and turbulence. when
the sound Of the bell will be drowned bv
the echo of the hammer and the draw.
when the prayer-book aud Bible will be
suPplanted by the newspaper and the
magazine, when the votaries of the theater
and drinking saloon will outnumber the
church worshipers, and the salutarv
thoughts of God, and of the soul, and of
eternity will be choked by the care; of
business and by the pleasures and dissipa-
tions of the world"
1t is well Tor the public to keen the
dangers above referred to constantly before
its heed.
What the Cardinal says upon the sub
.iect of the ballot is so brief that it is here
reproduced in full:
The ballot is the expression of the will
Of free people, and its purity should be
guarded with the utmost jealousy. To vio-
late that purity is to wound the State in
It's tenderest point.
1.-The repeated cry of election frauds is
one full of warming. In many instances.
undoubtedly, it is the empty charge of de-
feated partisans against the victors; vet
enough remain of Il substantial character
to be ominous. In every possible way-bv
tickets insidiously printed, by stutiing' the
box, by tissue ballots and repeating
and observation-disclosures are attempted.
and too often successfully, upon the ballot.
1t is the gravest menace to free institu
tions.
Defective registration laws and negli
gence to secure the ballvt-box by careful
legal enactments, in part account for such
state of affairs but 4 prime cause is that
the better class Of citizens so often stand
aloof from practical politics and the con-
duct of campaigns. 1t is one result of uni
versal suffrage that elections very fire.
quently turn upon the votes of that large
class made up of the rough and baser sort.
To influence and organize this vote is the
dirty work of politics. Gentlemen natu-
rally shrink from ii. Hence it has gotten.
for the most part with the general politi-
cal machinery, into unreputable hands:
and from these hands issue the election
frauds, which thicken in the great cities
and gravely endanger our institutions.
The ballot is the ready and potent instru-
ment which registers the will of free
people for their own government, and the
violation of its purity leads directly to the
point where there is either loss of liberty
or revolution to restore it.
ave hail it with satisfaction that
more healthy public opinion in this quar-
ter seems developing, that reputable citi-
zens appear more disposed to bear an active
part in practical politics, and that re-
FORM free ballot "a fair account are be-
coming, under the pressure, more and more
party watchwords. 1t is purifying tend
ency in a vital direction"
Equally pertinent is his denunciation of
the laws delays, especially in cases so
vitality affecting the public welfare. He
voices the feeling of all intelligent and
honorable citizens when he says: a
prompt execution of the laws sentence,
after fair trial had, is that which strikes
terror into evil-doers and satisfies the pub
lie conscience. The reverse of this among
us has brought reproach upon the admins
tration Of Justice and given plausible
grounds for the application of lynch law"
Coming from Cardinal Gibbons, this advo-
cacy of these important principles will
command u-iJn 81 oar,-,-